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[back home] [the star]..the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.. Matt 2:9-10 God put the star in the sky to show the Magi where to find the new born king… How can I be sure that Im heading in the right direction? God of Light… Help me to see the light of your love every day of my life, and help me to follow it joyfully. Help me to see you at work in everybody I meet and in every experience I have. Help me to be a star that brings light to others. Amen. [end]

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[mary] The teenage girl who said yes to the angel....and allowed God to come into the world...behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.. [Luke 1:38] God of Trust… Help me to see the chances I have in my life to say yes to you. Help me to remember that you trust me to make a difference, even if I dont always trust myself. Amen. [back home][end]

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[john the baptist]..In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.. [Matt 3:1-2] Johns message was one of repentance…..because the coming of Christ changes us John pointed to something greater than himself...because he was in awe. God of Wonder… Help us this Christmas to listen to those who point the way to you. Help us to be ready to welcome you into our lives. Amen. John led a simple life. It was his job to prepare the way for Christ, and to let people know that somebody was coming who would change the world. [back home][end]

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[joseph] [back home][end] If you were Joseph, there would be you think that wanted to… dont a small part of you …run a mile? First of all your fiancée gets mysteriously pregnant. And then, you learn that youre going to be step- father to the Son of God. You have to wonder if he knew what was to come in the years ahead? But yet the carpenter from Nazareth decided to stick with it. He showed Mary the love of a Husband, and he showed Jesus the love of a Father! God of Faithfulness… Help us this Christmas and throughout our lives, to stick by the people we love, even when its not easy. Help us to show them the love and faithfulness that Joseph showed to Jesus and Mary. Amen.

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[gifts] [back home][end] I wonder what Im getting for Christmas with a new iPod Would he like a jumper? When will I finish my shopping? How can I afford all this? She is so hard to buy for! Why is Christmas so stressful? Shopping. Why? Must buy wrapping paper… Toys gadgets cloths Giving and receiving gifts is one of the most beautiful parts of Christmas It lets us remind ourselves that we are loved. And it lets us share our love with other people. God of Giving… Help us to be ready to open our treasures to others, by the love that we show and the way we make them feel. And may we always remember those who wont be giving or receiving gifts this Christmas. Amen.

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[the manger] [back home][end] When God came to earth…..he could have come as a King..he could have been the head of a powerful army..he could been rich or powerful But instead he chose to be born in a stable, among the animals and the poor. God of Humility… When we celebrate the day when you came among us, help us to remember that life isnt about status or power or wealth, but about being with the people we love. Help us to serve others in humility and generosity. Amen.

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[the incarnation] I dont think Ill ever understand it… You created the world. There is nothing you need, and nothing you want. You have no beginning and no end. I dont even have the language to describe you. …you are God! [back home][end]

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[the incarnation] And yet you loved us so much that you stepped down into the world you had made…..to live with us..to teach us how to love..to heal us..to redeem us..to die for us..to love us God of Presence… Help me to be the kind of person who is ready to enter into the lives of others with the same love that you showed us. Amen. [back home][end]

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[the magi] [back home][end] When the magi started their journey, they were on a mission from Herod… Herod had told them to find the new born king and to let him know where he was. But once they had found Jesus, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. Sometimes…..the experiences we have....will change us! God of Encounters… Let our experiences change us for the better. Make us always ready to respond in the way we should. Help us to always chose what is right and good. Amen.

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[expectation] [back home][end] Waiting for something can be difficult....especially something were really looking forward to. Advent is a time to prepare ourselves to celebrate the fact that Christ has come into the world. But its also a time to remember that Christ will one day come again. God of Hope… Whenever we have to wait for something, help us to use the time to make sure we are properly ready. Amen.